Beta-adrenergic receptors on polymorphonuclear cell membranes in essential hypertension

Beta adrenergic receptor binding sites were determined and characterized by specific binding of (+/-)[125I] iodocyanopindolol to membranes obtained from circulating polymorphonuclear leukocytes. No difference was found in the number of receptor sites and in their dissociation constants (Kd) between patients with untreated essential hypertension (EH), EH treated with drugs other than beta blockers, and in normotensive controls. The group with EH receiving treatment with beta blockers had a significantly higher receptor density and Kd as compared with all the other groups (p less than 0.05). It is concluded that the beta-adrenergic system of patients with essential hypertension at the receptor level is not different from normotensive subjects and responds to beta blockers by up-regulation.